Infogram

October 7, 2004

NOTE: This INFOGRAM will be distributed weekly to provide members of the emergency management and response sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. It has been prepared by NATEK Incorporated for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. For further information, contact the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) at (301) 447-1325 or by e-mail at emr-isac@dhs.gov.

FEMA Releases New ICS Course

At a time when nature is challenging the Emergency Services Sector (ESS), FEMA announces the release of the new ICS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Federal Disaster Workers and all emergency personnel who have disaster response duties. ICS-200 is an independent study, web-based course designed to support basic ICS knowledge as part of FEMA's effort to move the nation toward the implementation of a National Incident Management System (NIMS).

The course identifies ICS features and principles of Establishment and Transfer of Command, Management by Objectives, Unified Command, ICS Management Functions, Organizational Flexibility, Unity and Chain of Command, Span of Control, Incident Action Plans, Resource Management, Common Terminology and Clear Text, Integrated Communications, and Personnel Accountability. A disaster scenario threads throughout the course, describing the common responsibilities associated with incident assignments from the perspective of a Federal disaster response workforce.

ICS-200 was developed to complement the IS-100 course for Federal Disaster Workers and to take the student's education to the ICS 200 level (IS-100 is a prerequisite for the IS-200 course). The specific target audience is the FEMA disaster response workforce and others involved in disaster response to the Incident Command System. IS-200 does not replace the IS-195 Basic ICS course; rather, it serves as a companion to it.

To register for the course and to complete it online on the NETC Virtual Campus, visit http://www.training.fema.gov/emiweb. Those who successfully pass the final exam will receive an Emergency Management Institute course completion certificate. For additional information, contact the Independent Study Program office at (301) 447-1200.

Free Cyber Safety Webcast

The National Webcast Initiative, a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security US-CERT and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) will offer the webcast, "Are You the Weakest Link?," on 19 October 2004.

The 60-minute, vendor-neutral webcast will focus on the human elements of cyber security and offer essential advice about how to use computing technology responsibly and securely. The webcast planners are especially encouraging local government staff and non-profit organizations to participate and they promise concrete deliverables that will include a checklist of the critical steps necessary to avoid cyber security traps.

Participants will need a computer with access to the Internet to view the visual portion of the webcast, and a separate telephone line to listen to the audio portion. Registration is required, but groups of any size in one location need only a single registration. To register, visit http://www.cscic.state.ny.us/msisac/webcasts/10_04/index.htm. In addition to the registration form, the site also includes additional details about the webcast as well as articles relevant to the topic. For additional information, contact (518) 473-4383.

Managing and Preventing Workplace Violence

Providing a safe workplace for first responders, who are foremost among an emergency department's critical infrastructures, is essential to the organization's continuity of operations. According to FBI Director Robert Mueller, since 9/11 America's workplaces "have to be prepared not only to face the more traditional internal workplace threats, but now have to consider the external threat of terrorism."

The FBI's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC), Critical Incident Response Group, worked with a multi-disciplinary group to prepare "Workplace Violence: Issues in Response." It highlights findings from the collaboration of experts who examined the latest thinking in prevention, threat assessment and management, crisis management, critical incident response, research, and legislation. It also offers common-sense recommendations for those in the position to do something about workplace violence. The monograph can be viewed online at http://www.fbi.gov/page2/march04/violence030104.htm. A limited number of hard copies and CD-ROMS are available by contacting FBI Supervisory Special Agent Eugene Rugala at earugala@fbiacademy.edu.

In a related matter, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently released the results of its "ASSE 2004 Workplace Violence Survey & White Paper." The survey can be viewed at http://www.asse.org/press394_survey.pdf.

U.S. Mayors Measure Interoperable Communication

The "June 2004 Interoperability Report," which measured the reliability and effectiveness of communications systems between local city agencies and federal, regional, state and other local entities in responding to disasters, is now available from the U.S. Conference of Mayors Homeland Security Monitoring Center.

The report, based on data from 192 cities, considered issues related to the level of interoperability, obstacles to interoperability, and the investment required for a city to become fully interoperable. Among the findings were that interoperable systems are expensive and raising the needed revenue remains an enormous challenge for the nation's cities.

Mayors across the United States work on an ongoing basis with the Department of Homeland Security on homeland security issues.

To read the complete report, go to http://www.usmayors.org/72ndAnnualMeeting/interoperabilityreport_062804.pdf.

FAIR USE NOTICE

This INFOGRAM may contain copyrighted material that was not specifically authorized by the copyright owner. EMR-ISAC personnel believe this constitutes "fair use" of copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use copyrighted material contained within this document for your own purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Reporting Notice

DHS and the FBI encourage recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and/or the FBI. The DHS National Operation Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by e-mail at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov.

The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm

For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by e-mail at NICC@dhs.gov.

When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact.

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